A recent BBC investigation has brought to light significant concerns regarding the sale of vehicle number plates on online platforms, notably Amazon. The probe revealed that several sellers were supplying number plates without verifying the buyer’s legal entitlement, a practice that contravenes UK law and potentially facilitates vehicle cloning—a fraudulent activity where criminals duplicate number plates to disguise stolen vehicles or evade penalties. (BBC, BBC)
In response to the investigation, Amazon announced the removal of listings from the implicated sellers and implemented a ban on the sale of number plates on its platform, with the exception of novelty plates. (insurance-edge.net)
However, Regtransfers, a private plate supplier, has called for greater clarity regarding the BBC’s findings. The company pointed out that the number plates featured in the BBC’s report—specifically “BBC1 LDN” and “BBC2 LDN”—are not valid UK registrations and could be classified as novelty or show plates, which do not require documentation for purchase. Regtransfers emphasized the need for transparency about whether the plates purchased during the investigation were genuine registrations, as this distinction is crucial in determining the legality of the transactions. (newvalleynews.co.uk, insurance-edge.net)
The situation underscores the challenges in regulating the sale of number plates online and highlights the importance of stringent verification processes to prevent misuse. It also reflects the ongoing efforts by authorities and industry stakeholders to combat vehicle-related fraud and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
